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AutoGuide.com 2014 Car of the Year Finalist No. 5 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Classhttp://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2013/12/autoguide-com-2014-car-year-finalist-5-mercedes-benz-cla-250.html
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2013/12/autoguide-com-2014-car-year-finalist-5-mercedes-benz-cla-250.html#commentsFri, 06 Dec 2013 14:03:43 +0000http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/?p=224880AutoGuide.com 2014 Car of the Year Finalist No. 5 – Mercedes-Benz CLA-ClassIt is the final day of AutoGuide.com Car of the Year Award finalist nominees. Yesterday we presented the 2014 Mazda3 as our fourth finalist and today we we’re revealing the final car to make the cut: Mercedes’ new CLA-Class. Mercedes-Benz has moved down-market in an attempt to attract more vehicle sales. Based on the current... more]]>

It is the final day of AutoGuide.com Car of the Year Award finalist nominees. Yesterday we presented the 2014 Mazda3 as our fourth finalist and today we we’re revealing the final car to make the cut: Mercedes’ new CLA-Class.

Mercedes-Benz has moved down-market in an attempt to attract more vehicle sales. Based on the current A-Class and B-Class platform sold elsewhere in the world, the CLA is styled to look like a baby CLS-Class in that it is a swoopy four door vehicle with an emphasis on style and luxury. But what sets this car apart from other Mercedes-Benz models is the fact the CLA is front-wheel drive based.

TURBO POWER IN TWO FLAVORS

For now, we get a choice of two CLAs packing 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engines with very different output. The CLA 250 makes a healthy 208 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque while the frantic CLA 45 AMG pumps out an insane 355 hp. All of this power is sent through a seven-speed dual clutch automatic transmission that we find to be a bit slow and unrefined.

The 2.0-liter turbocharged engine on the other hand is quick to spool and delivers power instantly. The engine stays in its power band for a long time and like the turbocharged four-cylinder from Audi, this four-pot feels more robust than the numbers would have us believe. Mercedes claims the 250 model is good for an impressive 26 mpg in the city and 38 mpg while also capable of motivating the 3,262-lb car from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.9 seconds.

The CLA is surprisingly composed in corners and if not pushed beyond the front tires limits, is difficult to distinguish from an all-wheel drive car on dry surfaces. But the CLA 250 is not meant to be especially sporty; the 225/45R17 tires are meant to offer a compromise between comfort, sport and efficiency.

The four-door coupe is actually 1.5 inches longer than the heavier, rear-wheel drive based C-Class sedan and features a more rakish design. Although this does lead to a gorgeous, sleek profile, it comes at the expense of passenger space. Rear seat space is small and entry and exit can be challenging.

Up front it’s a different story. The CLA is instantly recognizable from behind the steering wheel as a “Mercedes-Benz,” but what’s more, it also feels like a proper luxury car. No pretender trying to resemble a Mercedes here; this is the real deal with the sort of premium trim you would expect in any Mercedes product. Available in six cabin colors with four accent materials, the CLA’s interior is highlighted by a large infotainment screen perched on the dashboard. If opting for the sport package, the classic round steering wheel is replaced by a more aggressive flat-bottom unit.

Getting a car for $30,000 with a tri-pointed star on the hood will be enough for many potential customers. That and the fact that this car lives up to the Mercedes-Benz name earned it a spot on our Car of the Year Award short list.

GALLERY: 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250

]]>http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2013/12/autoguide-com-2014-car-year-finalist-5-mercedes-benz-cla-250.html/feed17more]]>Front Drive Not a Factor for Luxury Buyers Says Mercedeshttp://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2013/02/front-drive-not-a-factor-for-luxury-buyers-says-mercedes.html
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2013/02/front-drive-not-a-factor-for-luxury-buyers-says-mercedes.html#commentsFri, 15 Feb 2013 19:01:11 +0000http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/?p=181505Front Drive Not a Factor for Luxury Buyers Says MercedesMercedes is going into uncharted territory with its cheapest model yet, the CLA-Class. Along with its low pricetag, the CLA is the first Mercedes in the US to be front-wheel drive. For years Mercedes and its European luxury rivals have been selling the virtues of rear-wheel drive, and until now, rear-wheel drive and luxury went... more]]>

Mercedes is going into uncharted territory with its cheapest model yet, the CLA-Class. Along with its low pricetag, the CLA is the first Mercedes in the US to be front-wheel drive.

For years Mercedes and its European luxury rivals have been selling the virtues of rear-wheel drive, and until now, rear-wheel drive and luxury went hand-in-hand.

However, since the CLA is based on the compact A-Class hatchback, the CLA uses a FWD set-up.

“Front wheel drive is the popular choice when it comes to compacts,” says Terry Wei from Mercedes communications.

Smaller cars in other segments use the front-wheel drive format due to its more compact packaging, and not having to run a driveshaft the entire length of the car to power the rear-wheels. This leaves more space for passengers and cargo. It also allows for a cheaper car, hence the CLA’s sub $30,000 price tag.

“Front wheel drive helps with size, fuel efficiency and costs,” explains Chris Goczan, National Product Manager for Mercedes-Benz Canada. All three of those elements are expected to be huge selling points for the mainstream CLA sedan, and Wei seems convinced that CLA buyers won’t mind a different set of wheels powering the car. “[We] don’t think that consumers will be concerned,” she told AutoGuide.

And Wei isn’t the only one. “We feel that the FWD vs RWD distinction will not really factor into consumer decision making,” says IHS sales analyst, Peter Nagle. “So long as the product is well executed (which it appears to be at least in regards to Daimler’s previous attempts at entry luxury a la the underperforming C230) consumers will jump at the chance to own a Mercedes,” he says.

“It doesn’t matter which wheels are powering the car,” explains Goczan. “As long as the car is well executed, and delivers the driving feel that is associated with the Mercedes brand.”

Enthusiasts also have a particular interest in rear-wheel drive cars, since it mirrors the setup in many race cars, and allows for burnouts, drifts and more control in high-performance situations. Despite the CLA 250’s 208 hp turbocharged motor and 7-speed dual clutch transmission, it might not tick the boxes for enthusiasts out there due to its front-wheel drive layout.

For those buyers, Mercedes-Benz says the 4Matic all-wheel drive system will be perfect.

“4Matic will showcase the performance of the CLA” Wei says.

Past 4Matic setups were rear-biased, meaning that more power went to the rear-wheels than the front, simulating the feel of a rear-wheel drive car. However the new 4Matic system in the CLA will be front-biased, providing power exclusively to the front until they need help, only then will power be sent to the rear wheels. However, Goczan explained that the 4Matic system won’t hit the base CLA until next year.

However, Mercedes will have an AMG version of the CLA also equipped with 4Matic. If the A45 AMG hatchback is any indication, the CLA45 AMG will sport 360 hp and has a special Sport Handling traction setting that allows more power to go to the rear-wheels.

With its impressive power numbers and all-wheel drive, the CLA AMG will likely hit 60 mph in under 5 seconds.

Finally, some might fear that front-wheel drive Mercedes products will dilute the brand, or move it down-segment to the level of premium-not-luxury products offered by Buick and Acura.

“Mercedes has made it abundantly clear that this is not a move ‘down segment’ but an opportunity to broaden the sales base and introduce the brand to more consumers globally,” says Nagle. “The CLA will also be the first of many vehicles that will give the brand a better foothold in faster growing luxury segments, namely premium compact crossovers and sedans.”

With the A-class platform being the basis of the CLA sedan, as well as the GLA compact crossover, it seems to be exactly the weapon Mercedes needs to take on its rivals.

Nagle explains that, “[Those products] will further help position Mercedes in the market as both Audi and BMW plan to introduce more products in the compact segment in the coming years.”